New scan could pinpoint hidden pancreas problems, avoiding major surgery
NCT ID NCT05088798
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is testing whether a special PET/MRI scan using 18F-DOPA can accurately locate small, overactive areas in the pancreas that cause too much insulin (hyperinsulinism). The goal is to help doctors decide if surgery can remove just the problem spot, potentially curing the condition. The study involves 100 people whose hyperinsulinism has not improved with medication and who are being considered for surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 18F-DOPA (a radioactive tracer used in PET imaging)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this imaging test could help doctors precisely locate the overactive pancreas tissue, allowing for targeted surgery that may cure hyperinsulinism without removing the whole pancreas.
- What could go wrong
- This is a Phase 2 study with only 100 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The test's accuracy is still being compared to standard surgical findings, and it may not work for all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Washington University
RECRUITINGSt Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
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